PTI leaders and workers had joined the prolonged sit-in demanding access to Imran Khan in Adiala Jail.

Sit-In Ends After Week-Long Standoff

A week after Rawalpindi police detained the sisters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, the prolonged sit-in on Adiala Road concluded on Wednesday following successful negotiations between the police and PTI representatives. The sisters had initiated the protest after being denied permission to meet the former prime minister in Adiala Jail.

Aleema Khan, Dr Uzma Khan, and Noreen Khan were joined by senior party leaders and workers as they demanded access to their brother. Police detained the sisters at the Factory checkpoint, while other leaders — including Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Salman Akram Raja, and Sheikh Waqas Akram — were stopped at different points along the route to the jail.

Protest Intensifies as PTI Leaders Blocked

On Tuesday, several PTI leaders attempting to reach Adiala Jail were intercepted by police at multiple checkpoints. Protestors chanted slogans and demanded their constitutional right to meet the PTI founder. Police blockades, however, prevented any movement toward the jail.

Members of both the National and Provincial Assemblies also arrived to express solidarity, further strengthening the protest.

Negotiations Lead to Peaceful Resolution

Negotiations involving Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, Salman Akram Raja, and Shahid Khatak helped defuse the situation. After assurances from authorities, Imran Khan’s sisters and accompanying PTI leaders ended the sit-in and left the Factory checkpoint peacefully.

Concerns Over Isolation and Legal Rights

During the protest, Aleema Khan condemned what she described as the “illegal and unconstitutional” isolation of Imran Khan. She criticised the actions of police personnel, particularly female officers, for carrying out what she claimed were unlawful instructions.
Noreen Khan expressed frustration that the family had no updates on Imran Khan’s health, saying that even a brief supervised meeting had been denied without justification.

Other leaders — including Meena Khan, Sheharyar Afridi, and Mushtaq Ghani — reiterated their call for respect of constitutional rights, maintaining that peaceful protest would continue in the face of restrictions.

Principles and Persistence

Barrister Salman Akram Raja reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to principle-based resistance.
“We stand with principles, we stand with the sisters, and we will continue to stand with them. We face armed forces, yet we stand unarmed with the strength of principles — and history bears witness that principles ultimately prevail,” he said.

He added that public resolve would eventually secure the PTI founder’s release, stating that only the people can decide whether the Constitution or coercive measures would shape the country’s future.

Senator Allama Raja Nasir Abbas warned authorities against pushing the nation’s patience to its limits, saying that blocking all peaceful avenues would only fuel public uprising. “When the people come out, you will beg for a meeting with Khan Sahab, but no one will listen,” he cautioned.

PTI Supporters Amplify One-Year Mark of 26 November Incident

As the Adiala sit-in unfolded, PTI’s online base dominated Twitter, marking one year since the 26 November crackdown on PTI protestors in Islamabad.
Supporters revived memories of the incident with renewed resolve, demanding accountability and linking the anniversary to ongoing concerns regarding political rights, state force, and treatment of detainees.
The hashtag trend gained widespread traction, reflecting continued momentum among PTI’s digital activists.